LSAT 154 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q16

LR Question 16 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Archaeologist: The people who lived in this area deposited…

QUESTION TYPE: Strengthen

CONCLUSION: Rubbish tells us relatively little about possessions of the people who lived in this area.

REASONING: The rubbish was left in pits, and the pits sere subject to erosion for a long time, which could destroy the rubbish.

ANALYSIS: The correct answer would strengthen the fact that erosion destroys the rubbish. But then we know that at least some rubbish survived, so we need to discredit that these surviving items gives “great insight” into the people’s possessions.

So we’re looking for an answer choice that 1) shows erosion has a destructive effect on rubbish and 2) says that the items that survived might not give great insight.

___________

1. This actually weakens the argument. If the pit contains tools that are recognized to not be found in above-ground locations, then that means these items are recognizable, and thus may give insight into these people’s possessions.
2. CORRECT. If scavengers took the most durable (surviving) items, then we’re only left with the destroyed rubbish, which won’t give us great insight into these people’s possessions.
3. This is irrelevant and doesn’t do anything for the argument.
4. So what? This says nothing about how erosion or other factors prevents us from gaining great insight from the pit’s possessions.
5. This is irrelevant. If the people never discarded the items, then they weren’t in the pit and wouldn’t be within the parameters of our discussion.

Recap: The question begins with “Archaeologist: The people who lived in this area deposited”. It is a Strengthen question. Learn more about LSAT Strengthen questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.